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Biden and Trump push for Gaza ceasefire before January 20

Biden and Trump push for Gaza ceasefire before January 20

As President Joe Biden's term ends on January 20, his aides are working with President-elect Donald Trump's team to broker a ceasefire in Gaza. As VOA's Patsy Widakuswara reports, analysts say Mr. Trump's ultimatum for a ceasefire is unlikely to change the outstanding issues at the negotiating table.

Death and destruction continue to be a daily reality for Palestinians in Gaza, despite the United States pressing for a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas. President Biden's term ends on January 20.

"We're seeing some progress. We hope we'll have a prisoner exchange. Hamas is blocking this exchange. But I think it can be done. We have to make it happen," said President Joe Biden.

The US president's team is continuing to coordinate with the incoming administration of President-elect Donald Trump. President Biden's envoy, Amos Hochstein, is continuing diplomatic efforts in the region. This week, Mr. Trump's Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff, is holding talks with Qatari officials, who are brokers for Hamas.

"In fact, I believe we're working together in a really good way. But it's the president, his reputation, the things he's said, that are driving this negotiation," said Steve Witkoff, the incoming US president's Middle East envoy.

Earlier in the week, Mr. Trump reiterated his ultimatum for a deal that would release Israeli hostages held by Hamas.

"If they are not released by the time I take office, horror will ensue in the Middle East."

Analysts say Mr. Trump's ultimatum is unlikely to sway Hamas, as the group, designated a terrorist organization by the United States, continues to be battered by the Israeli military campaign. They say it is unlikely to affect the outstanding issues at the negotiating table.

Voice of America spoke with former US Middle East negotiator Aaron David Miller, who currently works with the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace.

“The number of prisoners to be released, how many hostages, evidence that they are alive, the location of the living hostages, how many will be released in the first phase [of the ceasefire]? These are issues that have very little to do with the future policy of the Trump administration.”

On Thursday, President Biden welcomed the Lebanese parliament's election of Joseph Aoun as the country's next president, ending a multi-year governance vacuum and a more than year-long war between Israel and Hezbollah. /VOA

 

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